Our view: Text memo: Keep eyes on the road

Tuesday

Although sending text messages while driving is certainly a safety hazard, it’s not up to Oneida County to make it illegal.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE
On the national front, only six states prohibit texting while driving, Justin McNaull of AAA’s national organization said.

They are Washington state, New Jersey, Minnesota, Louisiana, Alaska and California.

Nationwide, there also are some municipalities that have their own bans, McNaull said. The cities of Phoenix, Detroit and Chicago are among them, as is Nashville and a scattering of smaller localities, he said.

In New York state, Suffolk County has passed a law to ban texting, but it’s not in effect yet. Elsewhere, the New York City Council has passed a similar resolution. Rockland, Westchester and Nassau counties also are considering action, said Robert Sinclair, spokesman for AAA New York.

The county Board of Legislators recently said it’s examining a possible local law that would ban texting while driving within county limits.

It’s a good idea in theory, but there are plenty of other issues the board should be dealing with — starting with finding ways to lower residents’ property taxes.

If text messaging is to become outlawed at all, it should happen through state legislation — not on a county-by-county basis. A law in one county and not another creates a patchwork of confusion.

But even legislation at the state level might not be the most effective way to deal with this dangerous practice. Instead of passing a law that is virtually unenforceable, the state would be better off promoting the dangers of distracted driving. That would include a host of bad practices, ranging from text messaging and drinking coffee to putting on makeup and cradling little lap dogs.

It’s already difficult enough for police to enforce the cell phone law — and that’s a device that’s held up in plain sight, at ear level. Imagine trying to peer into car windows to see people texting below the wheel level while driving. It’s nearly impossible.

There are no good arguments for texting while driving. It’s distracting, dangerous and downright irresponsible.

If it’s that important to get a message to someone, pull your vehicle over and call them.

And if you plan to do anything else behind the wheel except pay attention to the road, do yourself and everyone else a favor — sit in the passenger seat.

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